#Bug recognition

[vveltergeist]

Chairon in game knows Titus for all of 45 minutes and he is already his ride or die. No posturing, no bs, just straight up loyal right away

And then! And then! Titus passes out and when he wakes up and goes back to meet up with his combat squad, who shows concern? Who tells Titus go get checked out?

SURPRISE IT’S FUCKING CHAIRON

My guy is such a sweetheart right off the bat and a great team player. He's the one making sure Gadriel and Titus don't start fighting each other mid-invasion, and he only fails because that astropath got possessed (and who broke up the fight after they were ready to kill each other? That's right binch it was Chairon). He's lich er a ly the glue keeping the squad together for the majority of the game. And that's why he's the most valuable space marine of my heart.

TL:DR

[janeways-coffees]

Ok ngl the lack of understanding of the word "diversity" by the wheel of time casting director is starting to piss me off. It's actually important to mutliple plots that there are different ethnic groups that look different and are indentifiable by those looks.

Rant/criticism below the cut

Rand needed to stand out like a sore thumb in the first few episodes. Just like? Its a plot point that the two rivers is so inbred its one of the few places there hasnt been complete breeding out of channeling- so why the fuck is cenn buie white??? Why was there a random east asian extra?? Like im sorry all the two rivers folk should be played by austrialian aboriginal or black people like madeleine madden or zoë robbins because the PLOT POINT is that theyre inbred.

The fact that you have characters from the same ethnic group played by actors from different groups diminishes the importance of that ethnicity.

I think this bothers me so much because first of all, robert jordan clearly understood that ethnicity and ethnic groups matter. When in Dumai's wells they bring together the Aiel and Cairhien and Tairens and Two Rivers Folk, perrin comments that they cant tell the Aiel on their side apart from the shaido aiel. This, im willing to bet, mirror's Jordan's experience in Vietnam. He was white and ignorant and couldn't tell his south vietnamese allies from the north vietnamese enemies. Its an important acknowledgement that this shit happens in warfare. You need uniforms because in real life you can't always tell friends from enemies on sight.

Additionaly, as someone who isn't in the in-group it matters that I can recognize my people. Growing up in a realtively white blue collar area in the states I was always quizzed on my ethnicity (they could tell I wasnt white-like-them) and then when I entered spaces with my own people I could always find them and I didnt look different.

And this is something I've seen a lot in progressive spaces. People treat ethnicity as though it's something that is a shell- that beneath your different skin tone, were all the same! (White) this isn't just a wheel of time issue, but it's an excellent case study of casting a number of actors of color while erasing the actual diversity of the story.

EDIT: i had a note in here about alanna and leave being played by very different actors despite both being from Arad Doman. Turns out Alanna is Arafellen. Oops!

[rxttenfish]

honestly i just sit and think sometimes over like, miravi isn't toxic yuri or anything, they're DEEPLY functional with each other and it's much moreso a cheetah and dog situation where they both get a lot more stable with someone to balance them out.

but the way it looks like is often a lot of arguing and them not being afraid to snipe at each other or call the other out on bullshit. and i keep feeling like everything about the current shipping Moment would suggest that this is toxic — even though this quality, in of itself, is what they like in their relationship and what helps them best. which is a form of relationship that very much works for people! and works well! there's a lot of benefit in having someone you can be upset with and show that upset with without them taking it personally, or in using it as a means to immediately point out and begin working out problems in a constructive manner, problems that would have become a lot worse if allowed to simmer, and the emotional vulnerability needed to do this in a constructive way with someone else! it's actually my preferred form of relationship, because i'm bossy and mean and contrary and i like not being forced to dull my edges and having someone who can dish it as well as they can take it.

it's a bit like arguing for fun, i think. for those who like it and find it really works for them, there's no hard feelings at the end, it's just a way to get everything on the table and debate over a solution. it feels good, giving the high of the exertion but coming back down with emotional reassurance to ensure it's really not any hard feelings. but, for the majority of people, it's so deeply concerning and distressing that they can't even imagine someone like that, that something has to be wrong because they cannot imagine ever doing it constructively, or they cannot ever imagine not taking it personally.

and it's just very odd sometimes, as someone who has a ship like this as a main ship, that people don't understand that kind of dynamic.

[spikescream]

"marnie company's coming get out the fine china"

"And don't forget the Snea Pot!"

[hana-bobo-finch]

ok but paper wasps can recognize faces so Zasp might’ve recognized every single wasp he had to fight during the ant kingdom invasion

[nixii-sabre]

@xenomorphicdna

The monstrosity that is getting across below zero funny lore bridge without doing the lore

[kamukura-i-zuru]

Dragonhead Katydid.

[irusanw4]

Please tell me that hfjone fandom sees how autistic Airy is. If this is just me I'm gonna punch a hole in a wall.

[maretriarch]

barely an artist im just a pervert who likes looking at the planes of womens faces and musculature lines. well at least im drawing and not murdering people in my basement bcs thats the other outlet for the fascination

[zincbot]

beat undertale yellow!!

[secondlifep]

It's cool to see how far AI has come ...

[ropertplant]

husband doesn't believe me when i say the sudoku dot com app is lying to me. these levels are not expert. i know your expert levels sudoku. as if we are not acquainted with one another intimately. as if we do not share an eternal bond. as if i am not as familiar with you as i am with the contents of mine own soul. why are you lying to me sudoku. why are you giving me hard levels--nay! medium!--when i ask for expert? why can i solve this puzzle in seven minutes? expert levels take me 15, sudoku, we know this. we know this, you and i. do you not wish to spend time with me? have you grown tired of my folly? why this great sea between us, my love?

[grayrazor]

I've been of the opinion that using Chat GPT to try and gather information is about as effective as using gyromancy or a ouija board. It doesn't actually produce information about the real world, it just strings together words in a way like a human would, and people fill in the gaps with their own imagination and think they've been told something profound.

I feel like using the word AI to refer to what are little more than predictive bots made things sound much more impressive to the general public than they really are. They coopted the word AI is what they did. This is not a digital person who can create and have opinions. This is a customer service chat bot.

[jcmarchi]

10 Best Data Integration Tools (September 2024)

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10 Best Data Integration Tools (September 2024)

Data is the core component of effective organizational decision-making. Today, companies generate more data – over 145 zettabytes in 2024 – through sources like social media, Internet-of-Things (IoT) sources, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.

The challenge? Compiling data from these disparate systems into one unified location.

This is where data integration comes in!

Data integration is the process of combining information from multiple sources to create a consolidated dataset. While essential, it’s often time-consuming, resource-intensive, and prone to error when done manually.

Data integration tools can simplify this process, allowing businesses to streamline workflows and gain more actionable insights faster.

This blog will explore the benefits of data integration tools, the different types available, and the best tools to consider in 2024.

Benefits of Data Integration Tools

Data integration tools are designed to unify disparate data into a centralized system, making it easier for businesses to analyze and use for forecasting, marketing, and operational decisions..

This is important because 3 out of 4 organizations suffer from data silos, leading to inefficient decision-making due to incomplete information. Data integration tools consolidate this data, breaking down silos.

Data often comes in different formats depending on the source. These tools help standardize this data, ensuring consistency. Moreover, data integration tools can help companies save $520,000 annually by automating manual data pipeline creation.

Further, data integration tools create a unified, single source of truth for an organization’s data, leading to more accurate reporting, better data sharing, and improved decision-making.

Types of Data Integration Tools

Data integration tools come in various forms, with each catering to different organizational needs:

On-Premise Tools: These software are installed on and operated from a customer’s own in-house/local servers. They offer greater control over data security but can be resource-intensive.

Cloud-Based Tools: Hosted in the cloud or online, these tools offer more flexibility and scalability than on-premise tools.

Open-Source Tools: These tools are available free of charge and usually require coding expertise.

All-in-One Solutions: These are platforms offer functionalities beyond data integration. They can provide data transformation, validation, extraction, and governance capabilities alongside integration.

The Top 10 Data Integration Tools in 2024

The best data integration tools are not just technically robust – they also offer many non-tech benefits. Here are the top options to consider in 2024:

Fivetran is an established software in the data integration category. It offers fully automated data movement, enabling businesses to centralize their data in a warehouse. Fivetran also provides robust data security and governance. It can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or in a hybrid manner.

Key Features: Automated data pipelines with real-time updates, pre-built connectors, and hands-off maintenance.

Pros: Robust security certifications, automated updates, real-time data replication.

Cons: Limited customization options, opaque pricing, weak data transformation features.

Visit Fivetran →

Talend provides robust data integration, transformation, and data governance capabilities. It offers both open-source and enterprise/paid versions and facilitates big data management.

Key Features: Seamless integration with cloud and on-premise environments, extensive data quality, and governance tools.

Pros: Scalable, strong data governance features, support for big data.

Cons: It can be resource-intensive and requires technical skills for setup and management.

Visit Talend →

Informatica is an enterprise-level data management platform covering data integration, governance, and quality. It is known for its powerful data processing and transformation capabilities.

Key Features: Workflow automation, cloud-native architecture, and end-to-end data governance.

Pros: Robust functionality, highly scalable, large user community.

Cons: Costly for small to mid-sized businesses, steep learning curve.

Visit Informatica →

A product under the Pentaho brand by Hitachi Vantara, Pentaho Data Integration is a no-code data integration platform. It provides a drag-and-drop graphical UI for building data pipelines and is deployable on-premises and on the cloud.

Key Features: Extensive extract, transform, and load (ETL) functions, data integration, and data preparation – all in one platform.

Pros: Reusable transformation templates, large library of pre-built connectors, real-time data validation.

Cons: High learning curve for new users, limited customer support.

Visit Pentaho →

Jitterbit specializes in API integration, allowing businesses to connect to software-as-a-service (SaaS), on-premise, and cloud applications. It is ideal for organizations looking to build integrations quickly.

Key Features: Pre-built connectors, API integration, and automation tools for hybrid cloud and on-premise systems.

Pros: Fast API integrations, great for connecting disparate cloud-based systems.

Cons: Limited on-premise support and data mapping features.

Visit Jitterbit →

6. Hevo Data

Hevo Data is a real-time data integration platform designed for simplicity and speed. It provides connectivity to over 150+ sources and destinations.  Moreover, it is focused on replicating and streaming data in real-time and is trusted by over 2500+ companies.

Key Features: Real-time data replication and integration with major data warehouses.

Pros: Real-time updates, easy-to-use UI, seamless trial experience.

Cons: Confusing transformations, lack of pipeline categorization, view sync issues.

Visit Hevo Data →

7. Boomi

Boomi, formerly a Dell company, is an integration-as-a-service (IaaS) and API management platform. It also offers EDI management features alongside data governance. They are known for their expertise in Mergers & Acquisitions/Divestiture data movement.

Key Features: Cloud-native platform with powerful data migration capabilities.

Pros: Excellent reusability of components, extensive connectors, quick bug fixes.

Cons: Comparatively weak documentation, lack of robust auditability, low-code nature requires some coding knowledge.

Visit Boomi →

Airbyte is an open-source data movement platform with paid tiers. It’s designed for enterprises looking to leverage generative AI (GenAI). Airbyte has a 300+ library of connectors and the functionality to create custom ones. It also provides both low-code and no-code development.

Key Features: Customizable connectors, automated data syncing, open-source.

Pros: Available as a library in Python, one of the largest user communities, flexible sync frequency.

Cons: Troubleshooting failed syncs is difficult, API docs are unclear, and job execution features can be more developed.

Visit Airbyte →

SAP Data Services is part of the SAP Business Technology Platform. It is an enterprise-grade data integration solution offering tools for data quality and cleansing.

Key Features: Data integration, cleansing, transformation, and governance tools integrated with other SAP applications..

Pros: Apache integration, big data support, real-time data management.

Cons: Error descriptions are too vague, lack of cloud connectivity options, and debugging is difficult.

Visit SAP Data Services →

10. Astera

Astera is an AI-powered no-code data management platform that allows businesses to effortlessly perform end-to-end data management. It provides data extraction, integration, warehousing, API management, and electronic data management (EDI) management functionalities.

Key Features: No-code user interface (UI) with drag-and-drop architecture, custom pre-built connectors, and AI automation.

Pros: It is easy to use for non-technical users, supports multiple data sources, has high data mapping functionality, and offers highly rated customer service.

Cons: Documentation is complex, and optical character recognition (OCR) features are lacking.

Visit Astera →

Selecting the right tools for data integration can be difficult and time-consuming. Multiple factors are involved in the selection process. Let’s look at some essential criteria.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Data Integration Tool

The ideal tool depends on the unique needs and stage of each business, which is characterized by the following factors:

Compatibility: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with your existing data sources and systems.

Ease of Use: No-code or low-code tools with drag-and-drop functionality are easy to use andgreat for  teams from all backgrounds.

Scalability: A good data integration tool should be scalable. On-premise solutions are limited in scalability, making them a sub-optimal choice for large and growing companies.

Cost: Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including licensing, maintenance, and support, as well as the expected return on investment (ROI).

Functionality: Assess the range of features, including automation, transformation, and governance.

Security: Look for robust security measures to protect sensitive data, especially in cloud-based environments with certifications like SOC 1 and 2, ISO 27001, etc.

Future Trends

AI is becoming common across industries – and data integration applications will also become more AI-focused, i.e., data mapping and ETL. As cloud services evolve, serverless data integration will also become a popular option.

Furthermore, with the growing use of cloud solutions, data integration-as-a-service (DIaaS) platforms will gain traction, offering businesses higher data scalability.

Explore Unite.ai for more resources on data integration and management.

[underpreparedbard]

If they don’t call it Pegasus we riot

I know it's not the most important moment of Season 3, but JASKIER FINALLY GOT A HORSE!

[scarlet--wiccan]

On related note, a few years ago, the Entomological Society of America officially discontinued the use of "gypsy moth" and "gyspy ant" as common names for Lymantria dispar and Aphaenogaster araneoides. L. Dispar is now known as the "spongy moth," so named for the appearance of their eggs, but I don't think a new common name has caught on for the ant species yet.

These changes we brought about, in large part, by the advocacy of Romani people in academia. You might not think that bug names are a very serious issue, but I believe that language matters. These species became known as "gypsies" because their attributes were likened to certain stereotypes and negative perceptions of actual Roma, so the continued use of those names reaffirmed those negative associations in the public consciousness. Slurs and pejoratives can never be truly decontexualized.

In my mind, one of the biggest obstacles that Romani people face when we are trying to advocate for ourselves is a lack of recognition as a marginalized group that deserves the necessary consideration. Even for seemingly trivial matters, like bugs or comic book characters, the way that people talk about us-- and talk down to us, when we get involved-- is telling. So, I always think that changes like this are a win, because it means that people are willing to learn and grant us the dignity we deserve. And there's nothing wrong with wanting to effect change in your own field, even arts and science.